Google promised to release Android 8.1 Oreo developer preview to its Pixel and Nexus smartphones and it seems like Google is keeping true to its word. The Android parent recently published the OTA images for Android 8.1 Oreo developer preview and owners of eligible Nexus and Pixel devices can download and install the operating system right now.

Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview

The public version of this operating system is scheduled to come out on December. However, this doesn’t mean that tech savvy Android fans need to wait that long since they can manually sideload the update themselves. Worth mentioning is that this update is compatible with a handful of devices.

We should also note that this operating system is still experimental software and that’s why its called “Developer Preview Edition”. This is important because it means that this early Android 8.1 Oreo release probably has its fair share of bugs which might cause troubles. Therefore, Android fans need to make sure they backup their data before installing it.

Compatible Smartphones

Nexus 5X;

Nexus 6P;

Pixel C;

Pixel;

Pixel XL;

Pixel 2;

Pixel 2 XL;

Update Overview

The previous update was Android 8.0 Oreo and it introduced some major features and visual changes to the Android ecosystem. This is not the case with Android 8.1 Oreo developer preview since its only focused towards improving the operating system’s performance through bug fixes and under the hood tweaks.

In addition, Google will surely include the latest security patches in Android 8.1 Oreo once it decides to release it to the wide public OTA (over the air). Lastly, seeing how this is a developer preview update, Nexus and Pixel smartphone owners need to enroll in Google’s Beta Program to receive access to it. Luckily, the Beta Program is open for everyone.